2017 Hutt Valley Sports Awards finalists announced

2017 finalist Nick Willis.

Two finalists with Olympic medals – Nick Willis and Mary Fisher - are amongst the Hutt Valley Sports Awards finalists.Fisher won gold at the Rio Paralympics by setting a world record in the backstroke S11.

The Upper Hutt swimmer has an impressive record setting numerous world records and must be in contention for the supreme award.

She is a finalist in the sportswoman and disabled categories, and is not the only Upper swimmer in the finals with Chelsey Edwards featuring in the young sportswoman.

Willis, who lives in the United States but still, considers himself a Lower Hutt lad, won bronze in the glamour 1500m. In doing so he became the oldest runner to medal in an event that is considered one of the toughest in athletics.

He added to his already impressive record, which includes two Olympic and three Commonwealth Games medals.Convener of judges Derek Wilshere said having two such high quality athletes as finalists, reflects the quality of the finalists.

There were more than 100 nominations with good representation from both Upper and Lower Hutt. The toughest category was Junior Woman, where the finalists are Edwards, Junior White Sox captain Pallas Potter and promising runner Phoebe McKnight.

Wilshere said that the Hutt Valley has always been a breeding ground for sport and the judges agonised over the junior categories.

The youngest finalist is 13-year-old Finlay Seeds from Upper Hutt, who excelled in the 800m and 1500m, as well as cross country and road racing.